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School committee approves athletic‑trainer RFP amid concerns about reduced coverage and budget cuts
Summary
The Smithfield School Committee approved awarding an RFP for athletic‑trainer services after staff said budget cuts would likely reduce coverage to game‑only support; members raised concerns about practice coverage and potential cost changes compared with the previous trainer’s contract.
The Smithfield School Committee approved awarding a request for proposals (RFP) for athletic‑trainer services while several committee members and staff expressed concern that budget reductions will limit coverage to games rather than daily practice support.
Action taken: a committee member moved to approve the RFP and a second was recorded; the motion passed by voice vote with the chair stating, “The ayes have it.” The committee did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript.
Budget and coverage tradeoffs: staff told the committee the previous trainer’s contract cost was about $30,000 and that the new bid process could change the total cost; one staff speaker said contracting with a different provider could represent roughly a $40,000 difference compared with the prior arrangement, but acknowledged contracts vary and exact figures are not finalized.
Coverage changes: district staff said the new contract is likely to provide primarily game coverage rather than daily after‑school presence. A committee member noted that injuries frequently occur during practices and said limiting coverage to games reduces the trainer’s preventive and immediate‑care role; another committee member expressed support for moving forward while explicitly registering concern about the reduced coverage.
Why it matters: Athletic trainers support injury prevention, assessment and immediate care during school athletics. Committee discussion focused on whether a game‑only model would meet student‑athlete needs and whether the budget cuts that prompted the change could be revisited if costs or needs change.
Next steps and notes: the committee approved the RFP award and will proceed with contracting under the terms of the approved RFP. The transcript records speakers raising concerns about coverage and budget tradeoffs; no subsequent instruction to restore daily coverage or to reopen funding was recorded at this meeting.
